T20 lift-off for KZN premier cricket

THE KZN Cricket Union’s Premier League season is expected to take off with a flurry of hits and some misses on Sunday, with its traditional T20 cup action opener.

The league’s 10 teams have been drawn into two groups and will play a series of round-robin matches over the next few weeks.

The top team from each group will then earn the right to play in the final, which has been set down for the last weekend of October, under lights, at the Sahara Kingsmead stadium.

Topham are hoping to go all the way, says their chairman, Ben Pillay.

Topham, in Group A, which includes Berea Rovers, Uthungulu, Delta and African Warriors, will travel to Rovers for their opening match on Sunday afternoon.

“We have an exceptionally strong side… and we are hoping to take off with a win against Rovers,” Pillay said.

Pillay added that he expected new top-order batsman Nash Govender and Dolphins’ players Calvin Savage and Brandon Scullard to be big performers for Topham in the new season.

Excited

In another Group A clash, Delta are lined up to face African Warriors.

Delta chairman Yusuf Wariyawa said although they would be fielding another young side this season, their intention was to win all the trophies on offer. Wariyawa is excited about the potential of talented youngsters Zak Paruk, Matthew Lees and Wasim Rahman.

He said Kushen Kishun, Hoosen Badat and Ravi Reddy would be relied on for their experience this season.

Chatsworth Sporting are in Group B, which includes Chatsworth United, Pinetown, UKZN and Sunday’s opponents, Crusaders.

Jayson Sathiaseelan, chairman of Sporting, said they might be lacking in the batting department this term after the losing Chad Bowes, Nash Govender and Divaan van Wyk in the off season.

Sathiaseelan said they would look to Dolphins players Cody Chetty and Jonathan Vandiar as run sources.

About Sunday’s visit to Crusaders, Sathiaseelan commented: “We’re hoping to give Crusaders a run for their money.”